Stop Throwing Out Those Strings On Your Bananas! Here’s Why
Thanks to the evergreen trend of smoothies, bananas, which are one of the power ingredients, will always be a favorite. But are you a part of the crowd that always discards the strings that surround the bananas because they are just "strange?" Then you want to read about why you shouldn't, and just how they can be beneficial to you!
It is hard to admit, but even we are guilty of throwing out those weird growths or parts of fruits that we just don't seem to understand. One such is the banana strings.
These are simply those tiny threads you find lunging the perimeter of the banana. The typical thing most people do when they spot a banana string is search for others, and then pull them all out!
Experts say this isn't right because the strings are just as nutritious as the rest of the banana. These strings are scientifically called "phloem bundles," and are packed full of potassium, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin B6.
The phloem is a tissue found in all plants, and it is known to be responsible for the transport of nutrients. Rebecca Lee, a registered nurse and the founder of remediesforme.com, a health resource for natural remedies, says:
"Phloem bundles are made up of living cells and allows for food products and sugar to get to all the different parts of the plant."
Another expert, Dr. Elizabeth Trattner A.P. DOM, Doctor of Chinese and Integrative Medicine asserts that the strings are perfectly safe for consumption. She said:
"It’s not gross or disgusting. It just helps the banana grow and become delicious. It is fine to eat, and although its structure is a little different than the inside it can be consumed."
Interestingly, that is not the only importance of the banana strings! They can also be used to determine if a banana is ready to eat.
An unripe banana would have the phloem bundles packed tightly as all of the nutrients haven't been evenly distributed throughout the fruit yet. On the other hand, a ripe banana will have phloem bundles that can easily be removed!
